Service Learning in Guatemala

Setting off to Guatemala I knew they lacked the funds America has. But being there and meeting families I saw how much they live without, yet still have so much happiness and love to give towards one another and outsiders. Their connection within runs much deeper than most America families; great grandparents, aunts and uncles, brother and sisters, husbands and wives, and cousins all living under one household not because it is just how they are able to survive such a poor economy. But, because their heritage is such an important factor to their lives. Seeing moms and daughters making art on clothes and blankets from the methods taught by their mothers before them with love and respect for their history was truly an eye opening experience.

After previously traveling to Honduras, I decided that I would also like to serve in Guatemala. During this trip I learned so many things. I loved the experience, the culture, the people, the ones I traveled with, and just being able to give to others. I believe that I have been called help those in need. I am blessed enough to be able to help those in need so why would I not? And in the end, I get so much more from them than they get from me. I am blessed and honored to be able to participate in these trip and I hope I can go on many more in the future. I believe the biggest blessing from this trip was going with my mom. She has been there for all of my firsts so I was blessed to be able to see her first time out of the country.

It is amazing to realize the things we take for granted because it is understood or so easily accessible to us, as American citizens, such as healthcare, hot water, safe water to drink, just flushing the commode is even a commodity if they are even lucky enough to have one. Heath care is something we just take for granted because it is something we have done and just know to do. In other parts of the world, this is not something that is taught. The importance of having hot water to be clean. The importance of brushing your teeth. Having a place, a center or clinic, to go to and learn about how important it is to take the right medications and see the doctor regularly for newborns. The people are always happy, smiling, inviting, and willing to talk no matter what their situation is. They appreciate any help that we as GCAC can give. They are also very curious about our culture and our knowledge on many different things. GCAC does an amazing outreach. A service that provides help to many different people in many different areas of the world. It is an eye-opening experience to be on a trip with GCAC that I feel many would love to take. It isn’t all work and no play but it is a lot of work with you reaping benefits from it as well. I think in many cases that the traveler will gain more than the recipient. To experience the real thing of helping people that need something a simple as a water filtration system from two 5 gallon buckets or make an herb garden from recycling jugs or just painting a wall that they need painted, something so easy that does not seem like a lot to you can mean the world to someone else. You learn so much about other cultures and ways of life in those cultures that you will appreciate where you live and how to improve their situations. GCAC is an outreach that is absolutely amazing in the things that they do and provide in the places they go to. You will have a great experience helping out the world and memories you will remember forever.